Tamarix Carbon Allocation

A fundamental question we seek to answer is how does herbivory kill plants such as Tamarix? Evidence from many studies suggests that herbivory results in carbon deficits that cascade into carbon starvation and plant mortality. In order to specifically address the interaction between plant carbon balance and herbivory, we have constructed a series of test beds (i.e. mesocosms) at the Desert Research Institute’s (DRI), Scaling Environmental Processes in Heterogeneous Arid Soils (SEPHAS) Facility in Boulder City, NV.

In the fall of 2013, one and two year old Tamarix seedlings with intact root systems were carefully excavated from a nearby riparian area. In 2016, we implemented a series of simulated defoliation treatments on all of the trees in the assigned “defoliation” mesocosms where virtually all of the foliage was removed. Response variables include measurements of plant water use (from stem sap flux), modeled carbon uptake, labile carbon storage and biomass allocation. Stay tuned for future results from this experiment.

All Rights Reserved. This publication is protected by copyright, and permission must be obtained from the research laboratory prior to any reproduction in any form or by any means of any part of this website.